Scorched Earth?

On the Barren Planet, with no atmosphere overhead, the surface was pocked with craters and covered in dusty gray earth. A similarly dusty-gray Main Hall stood silently upon it.

Inside the Main Hall, Qu Hongwen sat high at the head, while sixty-seven councilors sat on either side, all eyes fixed on the Light Screen in the center.

On the screen, short Videos played side by side.

The Videos had been filmed from different angles—some by orbital satellites, some by passing merchant vessels, others by surface astronomical instruments...

Yet they all had one thing in common:

In every image, an icy-blue tide of data flashed past through deep space!

"Turning one's body into data—a Ninth Order Mecha Master?"

Yang Song, one of the councilors, let out a soft cry of surprise and guessed:

"Could this be the way General Li came up with to break the deadlock? Inviting a Ninth Order Mecha Master to assist?"

"Heh, do we even need to guess?" Lin Qianyi pointed at the Videos one by one, indignantly saying:

"Look at the direction it's heading. It's clearly rushing straight for the Domain Lord's Great Hall. It must be the helper Li Qingshan invited!"

"That Li Qingshan really has gotten used to a magpie occupying a dove's nest. Does he truly take our Yuqing Domain for his own home?"

As soon as those words were spoken, the councilors present wore all manner of expressions. Some frowned slightly, some nodded in agreement, and some even looked regretful...

Without anyone realizing it, every gaze turned toward the seat of honor—the true Domain Lord of Yuqing Domain.

Under everyone's watchful eyes,

"Enough!"

Qu Hongwen's face suddenly darkened as he shot Lin Qianyi a fierce glare.

Was Lin Qianyi standing up for him? He was clearly slapping Qu Hongwen across the face!